Question

Give the methods of mechanical analysis of soils?

Answer 1

(i) The mechanical analysis is not of much significance unless stone and gravel are present in large quantities exceeding 10 per cent. If they are present beyond 10 per cent but not exceeding too large then facilitate drainage and tillage.

(ii) It helps in deciding the textural class names like sand, sandy loam, clay loam etc. by determining the percentages of different size groups of particles.

(iii) By mechanical analysis one can easily understand the physical properties as well as colloidal behaviour of soils.

(iv) It can help cultivation of soil by giving an idea of ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ properties of soil.

The use of the terms ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ refer to ease of tillage and not to soil weight.